British walkers get ready to ramble

Ramblers are now able to walk across over 6,000 square miles of land in England and Wales from yesterday when new rights to countryside access came into force.

The right to roam powers, which campaigners have been demanding for more than 100 years, allow people to walk freely across mapped access land without the need to stick to paths.

About 935,000 hectares of mountains, moors, heaths and common land - in total about seven per cent of total land in England and much of which was previously off-limits, are now open, the Countryside Agency said.

"People can have fun exploring more of England's beautiful and varied landscapes," said Pam Warhurst, the agency's deputy chairman.

"The Countryside Agency, and the Countryside Commission before it, has worked to increase opportunities for public enjoyment of the countryside for over 50 years and this new right of access is a major landmark in working towards this."

Opponents of the new rights feared ramblers would end up using incorrect areas or damaging farmland and the Countryside Agency has spent four years mapping the country in consultation with landowners.

Campaigners said the freedom to roam was based on a simple principle that all citizens should have the right to walk freely on any open land.

"We are delighted that the public now have the right to enjoy so much countryside," said Kate Conto of the Ramblers Association.